Welcome to Your Favorites, where you have the opportunity to share your travel experiences with fellow Internet Travelers around the world.

Mediterranean Shipping Cruises

m/v MSC Lirica

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Barry S.
# previous cruises: 10 to 20
Date of Trip: March 10, 2004
Itinerary: Caribbean - Western

A beautiful ship providing superb value for money with everything one could desire. For a supposed "Budget" line ship Lirica is something very special.

All the areas were spacious although some ceilings were low tastefully decorated with a wonderful ambiance. All rooms were kept in spotless condition throughout the day and night. There was a great choice of rooms and one could always find somewhere quiet to escape - if that was your choice. The views in the top deck Blue Club with three floor to ceiling glass walls were special. During the day this room was almost always empty.

The service was faultless at times a little slow but often this was the fault of fellow diners. Our waiter Luigi could not have done more for us and all the passengers he served. If the menu did not have what you required Luigi would find an alternative. Through advance research we requested L'ippocampo Restaurant 2nd sitting and we were not disappointed. With three exceptions we took all or meals at the same table in L'oppocampo. The one breakfast in La Bussola was less pleasant although the food was quite satisfactory. Le Bistrot/La Pergola where one could have self service buffet style breakfast and lunches were popular. The food was of Italian/International style with a wide range of choices, ample portions and attractive in presentation. It was of a considerably higher standard than that encountered in many American hotels and high class restaurants. The same comment applies to the service. Of special mention must be the cleanliness standard. Immaculate table linen and waiters uniforms, spotless cutlery and china/glassware and most important but often overlooked Clean Hands. Copious supplies of iced water, ice tea, tea and coffee and a good choice of wines at vary fair prices. The late night buffets were always well presented with copious amounts of food.

We had a cabin with balcony and were extremely happy. The decor was red and golden yellow with light wood. Some very attractive brass inserts in the woodwork behind the bed was a very nice feature. There was a lovely feeling of light and bright to the room. Very clever use of mirrors added to the feeling of spaciousness. The art work was perhaps the least attractive feature but was colorful! The storage was well thought out and excellent with far more than most people could ever need. Our bathroom with bath and shower provided ample space and again good storage. Plentiful soaps, shampoos, conditioners, etc. Good supply of quality towels changed at least once a day, plus bathrobes. Electrical points were for both European and USA appliances. Fresh water and ice was provided daily in addition to the mini bar with all drinks at prices lower than ANY hotel mini bar ever encountered throughout the world. In addition to Continental Breakfast there was a good choice of salads and open sandwich style food available 24/7 through complimentary room service.

Only attended one show which was extremely good for ship board entertainment and very well presented. The cruise staff were all very friendly individuals whether you joined in the activity or not. There was no hassle to join in the entertainment. The musicians were very varied and of a good standard and there was always a choice available throughout the afternoon and evening.

Two swimming pools, two jacuzzi pools, mini golf, superb gym, male and female saunas, a spacious jogging area, various exercise and dance classes, a huge open air "solarium" area for sun bathers provided good service for the active. For those wanting to use less energy there was chess and bridge - unsupervised - quiz games, opera talks and videos, cookery and cocktail making demonstrations, T shirt decorating classes and other similar activities e.g. paper flower making. Taking into account the huge age variation of the passengers and that for many aged and even immobile passengers simply moving about was difficult the staff did an excellent class job.

Sometimes in my view - the entertainment descended to tasteless slapstick but even that was enjoyed by many passengers and I was open minded enough to accept I was not the only person aboard.

The ITINERARY was very good indeed. After one enjoyable day sailing we docked at Montego Bay. We had booked a ships tour (City Tour and shopping) but it was so much more than just a city tour and was very good value lasting well over 4 hours and taking in a huge slice of varied life and showing us much of the Montego bay area. The local people have an infectious sense of fun and it was a really enjoyable time.

We then enjoyed another full day at sea before docking at Cartagena. Again it was a ships tour of the city for us based on the very good advice of Buil and Diane (Cruiseclues). An interesting and enjoyable day in an old and interesting city perhaps spoiled by the locals hassling visitors with their wares. There was a touch of desperation as a result of the dearth of cruises now docking in Colombia. We very much enjoyed the local musicians and dancers in the lush gardens surrounding the duty free shopping area before boarding once again.

Next came the delightful San Blas Islands with their Indians and almost childlike existance. Here we tendered ashore spent some time swimming and then used one of the local indian families to take us visiting some of the other islands in their motorised "canoe". It was a day we will long remember.

Next morning it was a very early rising to view the Gatun Locks on the Panama Canal as we cruised through to Gatun Lake and the Yacht club. Here we tendered ashore and very much enjoyed the local dancers and musicians once again. Throughout the day free water-cold drinks-beer plus delicious fresh fruit and snacks were available. A refreshing swim in the lake was much appreciated when the heat became a little much.

Another early morning saw us dock at Port Limon, Costa Rica. Again on the advice of Buil and Diane we had decided to do our own "thing". Inside the port offices we found Mambo Tours and for 25 dollars per person enjoyed a great air conditioned taxi tour of the area. Sheridan our driver seemed to really enjoy showing us the area and apart from a tour of the city we visited the old dock, Tortuguero Canal, a banana plantation which was very interesting and never will I look at a bunch of bananas in the shop the same way again, some beaches and hotels, a small village and a couple of churches, plus El Faro Restaurant. A super and very memorable day. The shops on the harbour had some excellent and beautiful products at very good prices. The wooden products (salad bowls, assorted boxes, etc were irresistible and increased our luggage weight considerably). Of course we ended up with good quantities of Coffee - Jamaican Blue Mountain, Colombian plus Costa Rican all of which have been much enjoyed upon return home.

There were then two days to relax and enjoy sea life on the beautiful Lirica before docking at Key West. Here amid much complaining every passenger underwent USA Immigration Clearance. It was idiotic to hear the Ships Company being blamed for the lengthy process which was obviously completely down to the USA Authorities and Regulations.

Again we did our own thing in the company of 2 fellow passengers who were American and knew the area and as a result gave us a royal day out. Key West was very crowded being a saturday but none the less has a great deal of charm and is well worth a longer visit we feel. Next morning we of course docked in Port Everglades and to our great sadness a wonderful cruise had come to an end. Disembarkation was not too painful or lengthy a process.

We met some very wonderful people on board with whom we have built very strong friendships which we know will continue. We have invitations to visit Florida, Oregon and New Mexico plus our neighboring Austria. A BIG downside however were many of our fellow passengers. It would seem that the vast majority of the American Passengers had never read your description of MSC being a"BUDGET" cruise and they had never done any pre cruise homework. There continual and very loud complaining about EVERY aspect of the ship, the crew, the food, the cocktails, the entertainment, etc becoming first boring then irritating and finally annoying. All complaints had to be made as public announcements with voices pitched at Decibel 10 level. Beside us in the dining room we had the misfortune to suffer 8 of the most ignorant, rude, badly behaved, arrogant people we have ever encountered. Crude comments personal abuse plus threats were the style of these boorish folks who were horrified that we plus many other diners objected to their loud offensive singing during meal times. Fortunately complaints to the ships officers meant that the last two days of the cruise were conducted in a more civilized manner.